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Key to Cylindropuntia

Cactaceae

Cylindropuntia

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1
Terminal stem segments usually alternate, narrow, 0.3-1.2 cm in diameter; large spines 0-2 (-4) per areole; [series Leptocaules].
  2
Stem segments 0.3-0.5 cm in diameter; stem tubercles inconspicuous (usually appearing as longitudinal wrinkles when dried); large spines 0-1 (-3) per areole; fruits smooth
 ⇒ Cylindropuntia leptocaulis
  2
Stem segments 0.6-1.2 cm in diameter; stem tubercles conspicuous; large spines usually (0-) 1-2 (-4) per areole; fruits tuberculate
 ⇒ Cylindropuntia kleiniae
1
Terminal stem segments commonly whorled or subwhorled, 0.8-4 cm in diameter; large spines (5-) 7-15 (-30) per areole
  3
Stem segments 0.8-1.2 cm in diameter, easily detached; spines obscuring stem; flowers pale green to yellow, sometimes edged reddish purple or aging bronze to reddish brown
 ⇒ Cylindropuntia davisii
  3
Stem segments 1.5-4 cm in diameter, firmly attached; spines not or little obscuring stem; flowers yellow, salmon, or rose to magenta
 ⇒ Cylindropuntia imbricata ssp. imbricata